The Opelousas courier., 1887-03-19

What is Democracy?

In reply to a banter from the Truth the
Capitolian-AdvOcate, last week, crltlclseu
specifically the political course oil ex-Gov;
Nichols in so doing, we threw our esteeineo
contemporary into the very awkward predlca-
ment OF having to endorse the Hunt move
ment of 1891, the policy that inspired the ap..
pointment of Pinchback, Roxborough ana
numerous other colOred Republican polti-
clans. and the reputation OF the uprisings IN
a number of parishes which effected the
liberation of the State from Republican rule
and the election of exGov. Nichols.
Evidently this was more than our contem-
porary had bargained for. 1t jumped the
text sharply by charging us with having
lob Of attacking and breaking down the
Democracy" of its choice for next Governor.
Other papers in sympathy with the Truth
are now fiddlng on the same string and, with
equal caution, confining themselves to the
same glittering generality
been publicly announced and tacitly acknowl-
edged by his silence, courteous discussion
of his public course is entirely legitimate.
Therefore, it will be in order for his friends
and supporters to meet the objections that
will be made to his nomination, as they can
not lastly claim for him privileges and ex-
emptions that they have not accorded 10 oth
er candidates.
While the discussion is upon the subject OF
orthodox democracy, we would femlnu our
Reform friends that in 1852, when the non.
Carleton Hunt was nominated for congress
by the Democracy of the First Congressional
District, no complaint was heard about
"bosses," rings" false registration, ETC.,
from the admirers of that distinguished gen
tleman. In 1884 though, all these battle cries
were raised against the same men who had
groomed Mr.. Hunt in the previous campaign:
! 4 conelaye was called by d self-constituted
committee and his candidacy announced, no
regard being paid to the Democratic organiza-
! ton formed at the time of bis regular nomlna-
| tion in 1882 In fact all its overtures were
! rejected. During the campaign some of the
Supervisors chosen by the Republican Chief
| Sunervisor Norton from among the supporters
! of Mr.. Hunt, made affidavits before U. S. Cir
I cult Judge Pardee alleging that the lists OF
| re gstration contained 70O0 fraudulent names,
which they asked to be erased.
! Senator Eustis, Attorney-General Cunning
ham, Judge Lazarus and Hon. L. ODonnell,
at the request of the Democratic State Execu-
tive Committee, appeared before Pardee ana
succeeded in preventing the contemplated
high handed proceeding which would nave
cut down very materially the vote OF Mr.
4 Cleveland.
| With a full knowledge of these facts, ex-
Governor Nichols nevertheless took the
stump for Mr.. Hunt and against Hon. LOUIS
ST. Martin, the regular Democratic nominee
In one of his speeches, he went so far as to
say that q he would ally himself with men OF
ali colors and opinions to defeat the ring"
AS this remark had reference to the exist
ing Democratic organization, it could not
we'll be reconciled with candidacy for a
} nomination under Its auspices. he
could not now consent to lay down in peace
and good fellowship amid the odious - ring
he thought he had legitimate right OF fight
: ing with an alliance of men of all coors and
opinions" without infringing in the least upon
the discipline of the Democratic party
Having been reared in school of Democra
. cy which had taught us that party rules were
! binding upon all, we have applied strong con con
: demnation upon men for whom we entertained
= great personal friendship and regard, wh'
: had arrayed themselves against the part.
! nominees Hence, if it is adjudged that thu
/ course of Ex-Governor Nichols has not bee' &c
in disaceord with the requirements of tn
Democratic party, we have done great injus
: tice to men who had done nothing more thai
that which he has felt at liberty to do
We submit therefore, that the Limitation
of party allegiance sh ould be clearly defined
! to the end that it's privileges may be enjoye
}. by all alike B. r, Capitolan Advocate